logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2022
5m 16s

Do fish get thirsty?

American Public Media
About this episode

You know what’s perfect on a super sweaty, scorching hot, melt-your-pants-off summer day? A tall glass of ice water! Water helps cool you down and quench your thirst – and that’s true for everyone from your mom to your mail carrier to your dog. But what about your goldfish? Do fish drink water if they live in water? Do fish even get thirsty? Curious for an answer, we asked science writer Cara Giaimo to help us out.


Is there something that you’re gill-ty of not knowing? Send us a question and we’ll get you off the hook! Just find us at BrainsOn.org/contact and we’ll track down the  answer no matter how fishy the question is.

Up next
Jun 11
A big update about Moment of Um and the Brains On Universe
We're moving the Brains On Universe Headquarters, and that means we have to stop putting out new episodes until we get settled. We know: not cool. But, our new home is going to be bigger and better and the absolute BEST. We can't wait until it's ready for you to visit.In the mean ... Show More
2m 56s
Jun 6
How do braces work?
They come in cool colors, catch popcorn kernels and sometimes even have spacers - it’s braces! Ever wondered how braces magically straighten teeth? We asked Dr. ArNelle Wright - a real life dentist! - to help us break down the science of these tiny metal wonders.Bracing for a tou ... Show More
6m 19s
Jun 4
How do stoplights know when to change?
Waiting for a stoplight to turn green can be really annoying, especially when you’re running late. It would be awesome if you had a magic wand you could wave to get the light to change. But alas, such things don’t exist. But how do stoplights know when to switch colors? We asked ... Show More
5m 24s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2018
How Do Fish See? How Do Fish Sleep? How Do Fish Breathe?
How did the first fish get into the ocean? How do fish breathe under water? If you put a fish's head underwater, but not its tail, would it survive? How do fish get diseases? How do fish see underwater without googles? Why do fish swim when they are asleep? Do fish drink water? D ... Show More
22m 7s
Oct 2019
Are Jellyfish Made Of Jelly?
In this episode we're answering a few short questions about animals! Are jellyfish made of jelly? Do fish stink in the water or on land? Where do fish sleep? Do chickens have tongues? Can spiders sleep or not? How many types of animals are there in the world? Do snakes live in An ... Show More
15m 47s
Sep 2017
Why Goldfish Make Their Own Alcohol
How do goldfish survive in icy lakes and your poorly cleaned aquarium? Learn more about goldfish and alcohol on this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
3m 46s
Oct 2022
Wasserratz und Rechenkönig: Der Angler / Mundart Schwaben
Beim Spaziergang am Mandichosee beobachten Liesi, Tobi und ihr Vater einen Angler, der einen riesigen Fisch fängt. Wieso halten Fische eigentlich das kalte Wasser aus und wie groß ist die Gefahr, sich als Wasserratz in einen Fisch zu verwandeln? Und was hat das alles mit dem Herz ... Show More
5m 16s
Nov 2023
Do you know about marine animals? 🐋
In this episode, we will explore the amazing world of Marine Mammals and their incredible superpowers! Marine Mammals are warm-blooded, breathe air with lungs, and even have a bit of hair at some point in their lives. They can do awesome things like dive super deep into the ocean ... Show More
25m 21s
Apr 2021
What If Fish Had Legs?
Fish with legs? Crazy, right? Turns out, fish with legs are a lot more real than you might think! We teamed up with What If World, one of our favorite storytelling podcasts, to answer this question both scientifically and creatively! In our “science version,” we consult with the ... Show More
17m 12s
Nov 2022
Drinking Enough Water?
Feeling dizzy or a bit of a headache? Ask yourself: are you drinking enough water? 💧 Elliot, Cowy and Billy learn about the importance of drinking water. Listen so you can keep playing and running, hydrated and healthy! Discover more activities, games, and songs that will teach ... Show More
6m 24s
Mar 2020
'Are Llamas Ticklish?' And Other Silly Questions
We're answering 9 questions that put a smile on our faces, and we hope they make you chuckle, too. Plus, you might actually learn something from some of the answers! Are llamas ticklish? Why do pickles and cacti look alike? What are boogers made out of? How do fish see underwater ... Show More
19m 56s